Organ-coupler.



W. E. HASKELL.

ORGAN COUPLER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29, 1911.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

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W. E. HASKELL.

ORGAN COUPLER.

APPLICATION MLPD SEPT. 2s, 19711.

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WILLIAM E. HASKELL, 0F BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT, ASSIGNOR T0 ESTEY ORGAN COMPANY, OF BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT, A CORPORATION OF VERMONT.

ORGAN-COUPLER.

[0 @ZZ who/m t may concern Be it known that I, VILLIAM E. HASKELL, of Brattleboro, in the county of Vindham and State of Vermont, have invented a new and Improved Organ-Coupler, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in pneumatic-couplers for pipe or reed organs, and it has for its object to provide a coupler of this character, the construction of which is simpler, and, therefore, more easily manufactured, than the couplers heretofore commonly employed.

To the accomplishment of the general object stated, the present invention contemplates reduction in the number of parts hitherto necessary in pneumatic-couplers, particularly in the valve elements of the couplers, and also change in the character of the controlling valves, the nature of the changes in this latter respect affording minimum wear on the parts with consequent longer life, and greater positiveness in the action of the valves.

The present invention further aims to provide a pneumatic-coupler the construction of which is such as to admit of its formation in units each of which is distinct in itself, the assembling of these units being readily elifected to provide the completed coupler.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the nature of the improvements is better understood, a preferred embodiment of the invention being illustrated in the accompanying drawings, hereinafter fully described, and finally pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings-Figure l is a sectional view, partially diagrammatic, illustrating the herein-described coupler associated with corresponding keys of the great, swell, and pedal organs, and the connections between the couplers, the controlling valves, and the channels leading to the pipe work of the several sections of the organ, the parts being shown in their positions of rest. Fig. 2 is a detail elevation illustrating the manner of supporting the respective units of the coupler. Fig. 3, is a perspective view of one Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 29, 1911.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

Serial No. 651,943.

of the coupler units bottom up. Fig. 4, is a central longitudinal vertical section of one end of one of the coupler units. Fig. 5, is a cross section through two of the coupler units showing the coupler valve closed. Fig. G, is a similar section showing the valve open. Fig. 7, is a cross section of one of the coupler units near one end and showing the stop-controlled port.

Referring in detail to the drawings l, is lone of the variable pressure channels leading to the wind chest of the great organ, and 2 is a similar channel leading to the wind-chest of the swell organ. These channels when vented govern the sounding devices (pipes or reeds) in any desired way, either directly, or through an interposed relay or relays such as frequently employed. The channel l is connected to a mixerI or combining bar A, and the channel 2 is also connected to a mixer bar B. The bars A and B contain channels a and respectively, each of said bars A and B being provided with a plurality of ports which are in communication with their respective channels. The channels in each mixer bar correspond in number with the keys in the corresponding key board.

Each key C of the great organ is connected with a tracker c, which is connected to a valve lever D hinged to a tube bar E. The lever D carries a valve F, and said valve covers a plurality of ports arranged in the bar E.

Each key G of the swell organ has a tracker a connected thereto, which is connected to a valve lever H hinged to a tube bar I, said lever H being provided with a valve J arranged to cover a plurality of ports formed in the bar I.

Arranged at a suitable point between the mixer barsA and B and thetube bars E and I is the coupler proper. This coupler is formed of a plurality of units, there being as many units as there are combinations which it is desired to effect through the medium of the coupler. One of the units is shown upside down in Fig. 3. Each unit is formed of an upper member K, and a lower member L, the latter being provided with as many transversely extending ducts e as there are cooperating keys in the corresponding keyboard, each of which terminates at the middle portion of said member L. The upper member K is also provided with an equal number of ducts f, the inner end of each of which terminates at the central portion of said member and forms at that point a valve chamber g which receives a ball check valve M. Each valve is a steel ball such as are used in ball bearings. The valve M seats within the upper end of a vertical passage h, at inner end of the duct e, and the chamber g is but slightly larger than the valve M in order to insure positive seating of the valve. There is one of the valves M, and the associated ducts which it controls for each controlling key. For the purpose ot' unseating the valve M a plunger N is provided, which is formed with an enlarged padded head a, and said head seats upon a flexible diaphragm 0, carried by the upper face of the next subjacent unit of the coupler. The diaphragm O covers a longitudinal channel e', in the upper face of the upper member K of each unit, and thereby provides an air chamber with which communicates a port j), (Figs. 3 and 7) the latter being controlled by a stop in any usual way, so that air is admitted to the channel z' only when the stop is properly manipulated. The shank of each plunger N, passes through a hole m, in the lower member L of the coupler unit, its inner end projecting into the valve seat passage n, and lying in proximity to the ball valve M, controlling said duct. lVhen air under pressure is admitted to the channel i, and the diaphragm O, is distended, the plunger N, above will be pushed upwardly into contact with the ball valve M, which latter is thereby unseated and communication is established between the ducts e, and f, as shown in Fig. 6. The channel z', is continuous throughout the operative length of the unit, and there is a plunger for each of the sixty-one keys of the keyboard (or of such number as the particular coupler requires) and hence, all of the plungers will be raised simultaneously with the distention of the diaphragm O.

It is convenient to employ similar units for the direct communication between the keyboards and their respective organs, but those units, shown at P and Q, in Fig. 1, are not equipped with valves, M; and the top unit P has no stop-diaphragm.

Each of the units is connected by suitable tubes with the ports of one of the tube bars l5 and l with which it is primarily related, and likewise with the ports of one of the mixer bars A and B, with which it is related. For example, 3, is one of the tubes of the swell action which leads from the duct e, and connects with the proper port of the tube bar I, said tube 3, thus connecting the topmost unit P, in the manner noted, and the duct f, of said unit is connected by a tube 4, with the proper port of the mixer bar B.

5, is a connecting tube of the swell superoctave coupler, and 6, the correspondingtube leading from the coupler to the mixer bar B, the tube 5 extending from the coupler to the proper port of the tube bar I, similarly to the tube 3. A connecting tube 7, of the swell sub-octave coupler extends from its proper unit to the proper port of the bar I and a tube 8 leads from the same unit to the proper port ot' the mixer bar B.

For connecting the unit of the great action with the tube bar E, a tube 9, for each key extends from the unit Q to the proper port of said bar E, and said unit QJ is also connected with the proper port of the mixer bar A by a tube 10.

Any number ot' the coupler units additional to those already mentioned may be employed in accordance with the various combinations which it is desired to effect. For example, to couple the swell to the great, connecting tubes 11, 13, and 15, are employed, these tubes being arranged between the proper coupler units and the tube bar li; the units being, in turn, connected to the mixer bar B by corresponding tubes 12, 14 and 1G, respectively. The tubes 11 and 12, provide for coupling swell to great unison;

the tubes 13 and 14 provide for couplingv .swell to great super-octave; while the tubes 15 and 16, provide for coupling swell to great sub-octave. As instancing the coupling of great on itself, the connecting .tube 17, extends from the proper coupler unit to the tube bar E, while the tube 1S leads from that unit. to the mixer bar A, this particular arrangement providing a great to great super-octave coupler.

The octave coupler tubes 6, 8, 14, 16 and 18, are shown broken away in the conventional manner to indicate that each tube connects channels f and L (or o) an octave apart. The tubes between each unit and the corresponding mixer bar and tube bar correspond in number with the keys of the cooperating keyboard, except where a lesser number is required, as in the case of an octave-coupler.

Each key R, of the pedal organ acts upon a valve lever S hinged to the tube bar T which is provided with a plurality of ports, and said ports are closed by a valve U carried by said lever S. Coupler units are associated with the tube bar T, in accordance with the various combinations which it is desired to effect, connecting tubes 19, 21 and Q3 being employed; the tube 19 relating to swell to pedal unison; the tube 21, relating to swell to pedal super-octave, and the tube 23, relating to great to pedal unison. The tube 25, relates to the pedal action, and is connected in usual manner to the wind-chest of the pedal organ. The coupler units t0 which the tubes 19 and 21, are connected are also in communication with the mixer bar A through the medium of a tube 26, the latter connecting with a tube bar V, and between the latter and the coupler units eX- tcnd the tubes 20 and 22. The unit with which the tube 23 is connected is also connected by a tube 24 with the mixer bar A.

For supporting the coupler units in proper relation to each other, the construction illustrated in Fig. 2 is employed. The lower member L of each unit is slightly shorter than the upper member K thereof. This provides a projection t on each end of the unit, which is received by a transverse groove w, formed in a vertical standard W. The grooves w, are spaced sufficiently apart to position the respective units in proper relation to each other, the requisite space being left between the units to permit distention of the diaphragms O and proper resultant action of the plungers N.

The pedal units are supported in the same way as the other units; and, where convenient, in the same standards W. The bottom unit X, merely has a stop-diaphragm, and no passages.

The several tubes 3 to 24, inclusive, terminate at rails Y, which they enter and to which they are secured, and these rails fastened in place alongside the coupler units. All joints are made air-tight by felt or similar materials in manner usual in organ construction. The various tubes are made of lead or other suitable metal which enables them to be bent as desired.

In the operation of the herein-described coupler, parts act as follows: Pressure being applied to a great key C, the heel of the salne will be raised, thereby raising the valve lever D, and uncovering the port of the great action tube 9. This vents the tube 9, and there being no obstruction to the ducts e and f of the coupler unit Q, the variable pressure channel 1 is vented through the mixer bar A and the tube 10, hence sounding the pipe or pipes (reed or reeds) controlled thereby in a usual manner. To produce any of the desired coupling combinations the proper coupler-stops are operated in accordance with the combination required, and air under pressure enters the channels z' of the coupler units affected by the actuation of these couplerstops. For instance, if it be desired to couple swell to great. unison, air is admitted to the channel of the coupler unit which is immediately below the unit with which the tubes 11 and 12, are connected. This causes the plungers N of the latter unit to be pro jected upwardly, and to thereby unseat the ball valves M, of that unit. The tube 11, is now in communication with the tube 12,

and as soon as the proper great key C is depressed, the valve lever D, is elevated, thereby venting the tube 11, whereupon the tube 12, the channel b and the pipe 2 are vented, thereby sounding the sounding devices controlled by said pipe 2. lVhen a stop-diaphragm O, is inflated raising all the mechanical valve-actuators, or plungers N, thereby opening the ducts e and f, the enlarged padded heads a, of the plungers N, close the holes m, air-tight as long as the coupler is in use which is important since otherwise the ducts would be vented and the pipes would speak. The same action occurs in effecting any of the combinations which it may be desired to produce in the coupling, and the same is also true of the actuation of the pedal organ through a key T and the appartenant parts.

While it has been stated that the direct units P and Q, of the swell and great actions are provided with unobstructed communication between the ducts e and f, each of these units may be equipped with the ball valves and the proper actuating plungers should it be desired to cut the same in and out.

When one of the ball valves is lifted a continuous sounding channel extends from one of the key-valve controlled tube bars to the windchest (or to an interposed relay if such is employed), and when such sounding-channel is vented by striking the appropriate key, the proper pipe (or pipes, reed or reeds) speaks. As an example, (see Fig. 5) tube 17, duct e, valve-seat passage h, valve chamber g, duct f, tube 18, and (see Fig. 1) mixing or combining channel a and tube 1, constitute a single sounding channel which is vented by striking the key C, when its ball valve M, is lifted as shown in Fig. 6.

An important advantage of this coupler is its extreme simplicity and ease of manufacture. The ball used is a steel ball, onefourth of an inch in diameter, which rests on a hole three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter. The chamber g, above the ball is ve-sixteenths of an inch in diameter, so that when the ball is pushed off from its seat by the raising of the plunger N, below it, it remains in such position that on the dropping of the plunger the ball will fall without fail into the hole below it, thus shutting olf communication between the passages e, and f. The ball closes perfectly and makes an air tight joint without any other precaution being taken than to bore a clean round hole. The balls and their seats are so fully concealed and wholly protected that they maintain their proper conditions indefinitely.

The mechanism is durable since there is almost nothing to wear. The long narrow diaphragm O, which lifts the plungers N,

valve and containing air under pressure, and In Witness whereof, I have here-unto stop-controlled means to move said check slgned my name 1n the presence of two subvalves to remove them from thelr seats so scrlblng Wltnesses.

as to open said channels, in combination WILLIAM E. HASKELL. with means also normally closing said sound- Witnesses:

ing channels and adapted when moved to L. W. HAWLEY,

vent said channels to the atmosphere. C. N. MORAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

